The boy's parents, his 14-year-old brother and two people from the neighbouring house, which was also hit, were taken to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital with shock and injuries.

The family, from Penrith, had recently bought the house to use as a holiday home.

It was not known if speed had played a role in the crash but similar accidents had occurred when vehicles travelled on to the wrong side of the road, either through speeding, alcohol or fatigue, the Bellingen Shire mayor, Mark Troy, said.

Other residents said the ute had been travelling on the wrong side of the road before it and the truck collided.